So, your are looking for toothbrush facts huh? Well, you are lucky because your search ends right here! In this article of toothbrush facts, we are going to share some awesome facts. You probably didn’t even know about.

Actually toothbrushes have come a long way. They have been around for more than 5000 years. However, the earliest versions were only limited to twigs and leaves. The version of toothbrushes that we use today came long after.

Let us take a look at the toothbrush facts we want to share. Let’s play a game though. Tell us how many of these facts were know to you before you read this article. Be honest!

Interesting and Weird Toothbrush Facts: 1-5

1. Asians were the first to use bristle toothbrush. Specifically the Chinese were the first. Tang Dynasty people (619 CE to 907 CE) were the ones who invented the bristle toothbrush.

2. Europe came in contact with bristle toothbrush way later in 17th century CE. The Chinese travelers brought the toothbrush to Europe.

3. Dentists say us to keep our toothbrushes at a distance of 2 meters from our toilets. Why so? So that airborne microbes and other particles don’t reach our brushes when we flush. For example, E. coli bacteria can easily reach our brushes if within 2 meters of toilet.

5. Egyptians were known to use leaves and twigs as early as 3000 BCE for cleaning teeth.

Interesting and Weird Toothbrush Facts: 6-10

6. Siberian hog hair was used as toothbrush bristles till early 1900s. Miracle Tuft Toothbrush – a soft-bristled toothbrush was invented in 1938. By 1948, Oral-B was already into mass production of such soft-bristled toothbrushes.

7. Toothbrushes made with nylon bristles from nylon yard were first sold in 1938, February 24.

8. William Addis from England was the first to trigger mass production of toothbrush.

10. Here is one of really weird toothbrush facts. 24% people share their toothbrush with their partners. 18% people have the habit of sharing their toothbrushes with their children. That’s fine. But sharing with friends or a celebrity? That’s true! About 7% people share with friends and about 6% will share their toothbrushes with a celebrity.

Interesting and Weird Toothbrush Facts: 11-15

11. The first environment-friendly toothbrush was Hoke2 brush. The handle of the brush was not disposable. The bristle head could be easily replaced. This toothbrush was invented by Jack Hokanson.

12. Though brushing teeth everyday is really important, 1 out of 10 people actually forget to brush on a daily basis.

13. In 2003 Americans considered the toothbrush to be number one invention without which they cannot live.

14. William Addis (point #8) was in jail for causing riot. It is believed that in 1776 Addis already gave us the mass produced toothbrush. In jail he realized that cleaning teeth with a rag covered in salt and soot was not enough. He picked up a piece of animal bone from a meal and drilled holes into it. He asked for a few bristles from the guards. He tied the bristles together in tufts and pushed them into the holes. Later he sealed the holes using glue. Later when he was released, he manufactured toothbrushes and sold them to people and in the process, became rich.

15. Switzerland was the first nation to give electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush was known as Broxodent and was first produced in 1954.

Interesting and Weird Toothbrush Facts: 16-20

16. Before the use of nylons, badger hair was used for making expensive toothbrushes while pig hair was meant for cheaper ones.

17. Today most of the brush manufacturing companies have fully automated or semi automated machines. The handles with holes for holding the bristles are made separately. The tufting machine pushes in the bristles into those holes by folding the bristles over a metal staple or wire. Once the tufting is done, the bristles are then trimmed to give uniform length and desired shape.

18. Did you know that there is an extremely expensive toothbrush? It costs $4,000. It is made of titanium. It is a normal toothbrush but can also work as an electric toothbrush.

19. Toothbrushes should be washed using water after use. They should be left in upright position for air drying.

20. A toothbrush helps to prevent bacteria buildup inside mouth. This prevents periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases can lead to pneumonia, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. So, a toothbrush can actually save life.

Interesting and Weird Toothbrush Facts: 21-25

21. Using toothbrush or brushing teeth on a daily basis was not a norm in USA till the end of World War II. In the US Army however, using toothbrush daily was forced. This became a habit for the soldiers and when the returned home, they brought the habit with them.

22. On an average, a person spends 38.5 days throughout his/her lifetime using toothbrush. However, the number should have been 122 days.

23. People think that putting on a cap on a toothbrush is a good idea. Actually it is not. Doing so traps moisture and helps the growth of microbes.

24. There are about 2,500 bristles on an average toothbrush.

25. You can actually burn calories by using your toothbrush. Three times every day for 2 minutes each will help you burn 3,500 calories. This translates into losing 1 kg weight by brushing.

Interesting and Weird Toothbrush Facts: 26-30

26. In United States, electric toothbrushes were sold since 1960.

27. Bristles of a toothbrush wear out within 6 to 16 weeks of usages. Worn out bristles don’t clean well and hence, replacing toothbrushes every 6 to 16 weeks is a good idea.

28. Though people do share there toothbrushes, it is not a good idea. It can lead to spread of Hepatitis C and other diseases that are transmitted through blood.

29. A person uses his/her toothbrush for barely 45 to 70 seconds. This is not a good idea. At least 2 minutes of brushing is recommended for each session.

30. After suffering from a viral infection or cold, it is a good idea to replace your toothbrush. This is because old toothbrush may still have the germs. Using the old toothbrush can lead to reinfection.